Turning Japanese
Lost in Translation
Cast: Bill Murray, Scarlett Johansson, Giovanni Ribisi, Anna Faris
Director: Sofia Coppola
Movie Help Web Popcorn Kernels:
Lost in Translation is a slow-paced story of a man struggling with how to go about living the second half of his life. It's hard to pin this movie down, and while it can be billed as a romance, it's much more than that. It also is a travelogue through modern-day Tokyo, clearly a plus for those of us who enjoy many things exported from this tiny, complicated country.
Murray plays Bob Harris, an actor who has starred in a number of top Hollywood movies and carries with him a worn and weary cynicism that hovers around him like a cloud. He's in Japan to do a few quick TV commercials for a brand of whiskey, and ends up staying in an expensive hotel for what seems like forever to him. Meanwhile, we meet Charlotte, played by Johansson. She's at the hotel with her photographer husband (Ribisi), although he is more interested in his career and chasing down beautiful models than spending time with her.
These two drifters meet and spend some time circling each other. Bob is much older than the youthful Charlotte, but seems to gain energy from being around her. Their relationship is complex and does not descend into cliche "older man and young girl" which it easily could have. They venture out into Tokyo and spend time actually talking. A tale won't be complete without some type of twist, and one happens, but it makes sense to the character patiently built up through the film.
This is a good, character-driven film and one worth watching. Murray is subtle and understated, and Johansson radiates an edgy charm. Both sparkle.
